Sharjah: Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), inaugurated The Dice Player: Mahmoud Darwish exhibition at the House of Wisdom (HoW) in Sharjah. The exhibition, which will run for four months until March 13, 2026, is an artistic and cultural journey celebrating the legacy of the Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish.
According to Emirates News Agency, the exhibition is structured into six sections inspired by the faces of a dice, tracing Mahmoud Darwish's life and creative milestones. It explores his early beginnings in Al-Birwa and his lasting impact on Arab and global memory, highlighting the richness of his poetic and human experience. The exhibition chronicles the creative stages that shaped Darwish's remarkable path.
Sheikha Bodour was welcomed by several notable figures, including Mubarak Al Nakhi, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Culture; Mohammad Assad, Consul General of the State of Palestine in Dubai; Mohamed Abdalla, CEO of Sharjah Islamic Bank; Sheikh Majid bin Abdullah Al Qasimi, Director of the Department of Government Relations in Sharjah; Sheikh Sultan Sooud Al Qassemi, Founder of the Barjeel Art Foundation; Ahmed Obaid Al Qaseer, CEO of Shurooq, and Marwa Al Aqroubi, Executive Director of HoW.
The event was also attended by Alia Bu Ghanem Al Suwaidi, Director of the Sharjah Government Media Bureau; Khalid Jasim Saif Al Midfa, Chairman of the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority; Amer Shomali, Director General of the Palestinian Museum; Laila Abbas, Director of Khalil Sakakini Cultural Centre in Ramallah, Palestine; Saed Abdulhadi, board member of the Mahmoud Darwish Foundation, and international artist Marcel Khalife, along with other cultural and media figures.
Commenting on the launch, Marwa Al Aqroubi stated that the exhibition reflects HoW's commitment to preserving poetry as an intellectual and cultural force. She emphasized that Darwish was a poet who transformed struggle into a reflection of existence, stirring the conscience of a nation through his story.
Amer Shomali shared his personal experience, expressing gratitude to Sheikha Bodour and everyone involved in creating the exhibition. He noted that it offers a glimpse into Darwish as both a man and a poet, rekindling the feeling of encountering his work for the first time.
During the opening ceremony, artist and musician Marcel Khalife delivered a live performance featuring compositions inspired by Darwish's poetry, adding renewed emotional depth to the verses. Khalife also reflected on his collaboration with Darwish, recalling a personal request from the poet to compose a piece, which he later performed as a tribute.
The exhibition provides an interactive journey using modern audiovisual technology to immerse visitors in Darwish's poetry and prose. It traces the evolution of his work through words, images, and music, showcasing his vision of life and poetry.